More than 300 Serbians work at Etihad Airways and the employment opportunities are creating career paths for more young Serbians.

More than 300
Serbians work at Etihad Airways and the employment opportunities are creating
career paths for more young Serbians.

Nearly 200
cabin crew, four pilots, 30 guest service agents and more than 70 others work
in corporate roles in departments across Etihad Airways.

President and
Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways, James Hogan, said: “Following the
partnership with Air Serbia more Serbians are approaching us because of the
opportunities we can offer as a global airline and an employer of choice.

“We respect
Serbian nationals as committed and skilled members of our team and look forward
to more joining the business over time.

“I also hope
that at some point in their careers, some of the talented people who have
worked with Etihad Airways will consider taking their skills back to Serbia,
thereby increasing the depth of talent in the workforce.

“In recognition of our partnership with Air Serbia, we have established a
graduate management program in Abu Dhabi for young Serbians. I am proud that we
are making this significant contribution to the development of future leaders
of Air Serbia with exposure to every aspect of our business.”

Nine young Serbian graduates are currently participating
in the graduate program with Etihad Airways and will, upon successful
completion, join operating divisions across Air Serbia.

The
graduate manager program involves three months of intensive classroom-based
training at Etihad Airways’ world-class training facilities, designed to
prepare graduates for careers in the airline industry.

This
formal training enables graduate managers to understand all aspects of the
aviation business, including customer service, sales and marketing,
reservations, pricing and ticketing, network and schedule planning, finance and
human resources.

This
component is followed by work placements with departments at Etihad Airways in areas
aligned to their career plans. In the final three months of the 12 month
program, each graduate dedicates their time to researching and delivering a
major business-based project.

Jovan Djukic, who is
part of the Sales Graduate Program, said: “A year of life changing experience!
Being part of the fastest growing airline in the world has taught me what
international airline corporations are all about - passionately pursuing a
vision and reaching ambitious, bold goals by working in a highly multicultural
environment.”

Milica Marjanovic,
who was selected for the Revenue Management Program, said: “This has been an
incredible experience for me. I had a chance to develop both my business and
leaderships skills by going through rotations within the revenue Management
department. I have met people from different parts of the world which helped me
understand different cultures. Most
importantly I got another family in my fellow Graduate Programme Serbian peers.”

Iva Karadzic, who is
participating in the HR Graduate Program, said: “The Etihad Graduate Management
Program is definitely a crucial point in my career! I really cherish that I am continuously
encouraged to develop new perspectives and give my own contribution to the
departments where I am working.”

Mr
Hogan said he wanted to encourage young Serbians to apply for roles at Etihad
Airways. “We have always been impressed with the quality of candidates from
Serbia and I want to make it clear our doors are open.

We
offer the unique combination of a challenging career and the opportunity to
travel and see some of the world,” he said.